Malea Lopez '18 Recruiting Profile

I was raised by an amazing, strong, hard working single mom.   She has made numerous sacrifices for my older brother and myself.  I have acquired her strong moral conviction and core values!  She has taught me the true meaning of selflessness, teamwork, family, honesty, tenacity and most importantly integrity!  At a very early age, my mom introduced us to a variety of team sports, such as t-ball, soccer, volleyball, track, and basketball.  She said that learning the value of being a part of a team was critical part of being a successful adult. She played college basketball and shared how much her basketball family helped her be a successful student and vice versa!  She has shown me how hard work and perseverance on the court has helped her be the best Air Force Officer, teacher and mom!  As I embark upon my senior year in high school, I have found that my basketball team has become a an integral part of my family!  We watch out for each other, provide positivity and always have each other's backs!  The best days of my high school experience have been with my basketball family!  I find that because of them, I push myself harder both on the court and in the classroom! The biggest obstacle I overcame was the belief that if you didn't start or play a majority of the game, then you were not of value to the team.  I have found that whether you play one minute or the whole game, that it isn't really the amount of time that matters it is what you do to help your team during that time! In the near future, I will attend college and play basketball!  My academic goals are to graduate with a Bachelors of Science degree in Sports Training.  I will then apply for medical school to complete my medical degree in Sports Medicine. I feel I would be a great candidate for any basketball program due to my drive, work ethic, tenacity,  and passion for basketball!  The best fit for me would be a team that believes in a family approach in which we support each other on and off the court!  I believe that success on the court first starts with finding academic success!